Combined razor and sharpening device



Dec. 7, 1943. R. L. BURCHETT 2,336,063

COMBINED RAZOR AND SHARPENING DEVICE Filed Jan. 16, 1942 I II/111111111111;WIIIII/l/I/n- INVENTOR RAY L. BURCHETT BY A ATTOR EYS Patented Dec. 7, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED RAZOR. AND SHARPENING DEVICE V Ray L. Burchett, Newark," N. J., assignor to Art Metal Works, 1110., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 16, 1942, Serial No. 426,939

18 Claims.

arrangement for varying the inclination of a razor blade when inshaving position.

Still further, my invention relates to a novel and advantageous arrangement formounting the sharpening roller forming part of adevice of the character stated.

Variousother objects, advantages and-features .ofmy invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the combined razor and sharpening device, features and combinations of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of myinvention and. for

an illustration of one of the forms thereof, refaccompanying draw- .rangement shown in Fig. l; i

Fig, 3 is a horizontal sectionalview, partly in plan,taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; r

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line t-tof Fig. 1 looking in the direction'of the arrows; l

Fig. 5 is a plan view showingthesupporting frame for the razor arrangement of my invention;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged Vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 1-"! of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, showing'one'form of mechanism for mounting. a razor blade in its supporting yoke; and i Fig. 9, is an elevational view showing a modification of the invention. v

. Referringparticularly to Fig; 1, 'atubular member l is shown ashavinga cylindrical gripping Fig. 5.

member 2 formed integrally therewith. Beyond the member 2, the upper end of the tubular member I merges into a frame 3 which, when 'the razor is positioned vertically as shown in Fig; 1, comprises a horizontal plate surface 4, vertical side plates .5 and 5, and a plane vertical plate 6 disposed between and joining said plates 5, 5. One plate 5 has a pair of ribs 1, la extending therefrom and the other plate 5 has a similar pair of ribs 8, 8c extending therefrom, the ribs of each pair extending-toward eachother and being disposed in transverse alinement, respectively, The ribs 1, l'a. and 8, 8a. form a pair of notches or recesses 9 which open upwardly and are disposed in transverse alinement for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

Extending freely through a passage provided therefor in the tubular mernber l is a rod [0 which is secured to aha ndle sleeve l-l having a knurled or roughened outer surface. A spring l2 coiled around the rod it applies opposite forces to the tubular member! and the associated handle sleeve ll tending toseparatethem.

The rod lil is circular in cross section and, at is, said rod l0 merges into a rod l4 which is square in cross section, the square rod l4 being freely slidab-le in a passage l5 of corresponding shape providedin the frame 3, Fig. 5, and extending, to predetermined extent, downwardly into the tubular section where it merges with the passage provided in said tubular member I for the slidable reception of the rod to.

The square end of the rod 54 terminates in a U-shaped yoke lt freely slidable in a vertical direction at one side of the hereinbefore described plate 6. As indicated in Fig. 8, each vertical arm ofthe' yoke I6 is provided with a horizontal passage llia, the passa es 16 a being transversely alined for the reception of the respective locking pins or detents I! and I8. As shown in Fig. 8, the dete nt l1 comprises a stem lia which is'free- 1y slidable in a passage formed in a stem ISa of the detent 18. A helical spring I!) confined within said last named passage biases the detents I! and I8 from each other. Each of' the. detents l1 and I8 has a laterally extending pin 2!! and each pin 20 is movable into a slot formed in the adjacent arm of the yoke is As indicated in Fig. 1, the razor blade ,2! is formed with arms Zladisposed at opposite ends of the rear side thereof and extending rearwardly fromthe cutting edge of the blade, eachblade arm 2la being provided with a passage '2lb ex tending parallel with respect to said cutting edge of the blade. The distance between theinner facing surfaces of these arms 2|a is only slightly l9, are biased from each other to the extent per mitted by the pins 26 as the latter are seated in l the respective slots provided therefor in the yoke arms IE5. As shown in Fig. 8, the detent complates 5, 5 carries a tubular housing 26 and these housings 26 are disposed in transverse alinement with each other. The outside wall surface of each of the housings 2B is provided with slot 25a, the slots 26a being disposed in transverse alinement with each other and with similar slots 5a formed in the respective plates 5, 5. Each set of the slots 50. and 26a receives a pintle 21a of a blade sharpening roller 21. As shown in Fig. 6, each pintle 21a is engaged by a member 28 biased in an upward direction by a spring 29, the member 28 and spring 29 being confined within the associated housing 26.

prises a stem Ha which freely extends into a passage provided therefor in the shank |8a of the detent I8. When thus positioned, the razor blade 2| may be oscillated on andwith respect to the arms of the yoke It. When it becomes desirable to remove the blade 2| from theyoke I6, the pins 20, either individually or jointly, are manually engaged and moved toward each other to an extent suflicient to cause disengagement thereof from the respective'slots in which they had been i seated whereupon said pins 20 are moved circumferentially out of alinement with their respective 510175. This operation entirely removes the ends of the detents l1 and |8 from the respective passages 2 lb of the razor blade and effectively holds said detents in their disengaged position. When this has been done, therazor blade 2| may be removed from the yoke arms. Conversely, it will be understood that said razorblade 2| maybe attached for free oscillatory movement to the'yoke arms, after the passages 2|b thereof have been alined with the respective detents l1 and I8, by partially rotating said detents so that they may be seated in the razor blade passages 2|b under the influence of the spring l9.

Although I have shown a present preferred arrangement for attaching and detaching a razor blade to or from the arms of the yoke IE, it will be understood that various other equivalent arrangements may be utilized in lieu thereof as desired.

As indicated particularly in Figs' 1 and 2, the yoke l6 comprises oppositely extending ledge sections 5b adapted, in the manner hereinafter described, to be disposed within the respective recesses 9 when the razor blade 2| is either in shaving position or in sharpening position. 7

The blade 2| when in shaving position, has its shaving or cutting edge disposed adjacent a guard 22 fixed between theaforesaid side plates 5 and 5, the guard 22, preferably, being provided with teeth 2211 which face the razor blade cutting edge. Disposed flatwise against the plane plate 6 and mounted for oscillatorymovement on a pin 23 projecting therefrom is a cam member 24 having an actuating handle 24a, the ends of which are movable between stop pins 25 mounted on and extending from the aforesaid plate 6.

With the razor blade 2| in the position shown 7 in Fig. 2, it will be understood that the cam member 24 may be swung in one direction or the other to thereby cause the cutting edge of said blade 2| to take a desired cutting position with respect to the guard 22. The cam member 24 is frictionally or otherwise so controlled that it remains stationaryin any desired position to which it is adjusted. the degree of friction, however, being insufficient to prevent ready manual movement of said cam member 24 on its supporting pin 23.

Inaccordance with the invention, each of the scribed, the roller 21 is free to automatically take a more effective sharpening position than would be the case were said roller 2'! rotatable on a fixed longitudinal axis.

The razor blade 2|, on each side thereof, is

provided with a slot or recess 2 I0, these recesses being transversely alined and so arranged that, when said razor blade 2| is in engagement with the sharpening roller 21, the above described ribs 1a, 8a of the frame 3 are received within the respective slots 2|c and'the side face of the rear portion of the razor blade 2| rests on top of the above described ribs I, 8 of said frame 3 whereas, when the razor blade 2| is in shaving position, the ribs 1, 8 are received within the respective recesses 2|c and the side face of the rear portion of said razor blade 2| rests on top of the ribs hand 80., Fig. 2.

In Fig. 2, the razor blade 2| is shown as disposed in shaving position. When thus disposed, the spring |2 holds the yoke |6 toward the plate surface 4 of the frame 3 and maintains the yoke sections [6b within the respective frame recesses 9. However, the spring I2 is prevented from seating any of the yoke surfaces in engagement with the frame surfaces last described by reason of the motion-limiting effect on the razor blade 2| produced, first, by the ribs la and 8a which are engaged by the side face of the rear portion of the razor blade 2| and, second, by the cam member 24, which is engaged by an intermediate surface of said razor blade 2|.

As will readily be understood from a consideration of Fig. 2, the described action of the tending to rotate the same in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2, to an extent permitted by the cam member 24 whereby the outer or cutting edge of said razor blade 2| is positively held in shaving position. At this time, the ribs 1, 8 extend freely within the respective recesses blade 2|.

When it becomes desirable to change the shaving position of the razor blade 2|,-the 'cam member 24 may be moved in one direction or the other to thereby change'the inclination of said razor blade 2| and vary the position of the cutting edge thereof with respect to theguard 22."

When the razor blade 2| is to be sharpened,

25c of the razor the yoke I6 is elevated, against the action of the spring l2, by effecting relative movement toward .each other of thecircular gripping section 2 and .thehandle' sleeve II, the movement last named being continued until the square rod lll has been moved from the square passage I5. After the operation last noted has been completed, the yoke I6 may be rotated with respect to the tubular member land the frame 3 through an angle of 180 degrees while holding the handle sleeve stationary and rotatably moving the gripping member 2. Thereupon, the holding pressure on the spring I2 may be released to produce downward movement of the yoke It so that the latter descends into its normal position adjacent the frame surface 4 with the yoke sections I62) dis posed within the respective frame recesses 9. In so doing, the cutting edgeof the razor blade 2| comes into engagement with the sharpening roller 2! which may be rotated in suitable manner to thereby effect the desired sharpening action.

When the razor blade 2| is thus disposed in sharpening position, Fig. 1, the spring I2 draws the yoke I6 toward the plate surfaced of the frame 3 and maintains the yoke sections 'IGb Within the respective frame recesses 9. However, the spring I2 is prevented from seating any of the yoke surfaces in engagement with the frame surface last described by reason of the motionlimiting effect on the razor blade 2| produced, first, by the ribs I, 8 which are engaged by the side face of the rear portion of said razor blade 2| and, second, by the surface of the sharpening roller 21 which is engaged by the front surface of the razor blade.

In generally the same manner as previously described, the spring I2, acting through the yoke I6, draws the rear surface of the razorblade 2| into engagement with the ribs I, 8 whereby a biasing effect is applied to said razor blade 2| tending to rotate the same in such direction that the cutting edge thereof is positively held in sharpening position, i. e., in engagement with the sharpening roller 21. At this time, the ribs Ia, 8a extend freely within the respective recesses 2 I of the razor blade 2|.

The construction comprising the slots a and 26a together with the biasing arrangements for the pintles 210. permits the sharpening roller 2! to take the position which the razor blade 2| tends to impose thereon when the latter is held in sharpening position under the influence of the spring I2. Thus, by reference to Fig. 6 and assuming that the pintles 21a have been moved upwardly to the ends of the respective slots provided therefor, the line L may be taken as desigmatin the longitudinal axis of the sharpening roller 21 and its pintles 2111. If the sharpening roller 2'! should be so mounted that this longitudinal axis is incapable of adjustment, it would be necessary for the longitudinal axis of the detents I1 and I8, the extreme end of the cutting edge of th razor blade 2| and said longitudinal axis L to be disposed exactly in parallel relation if said cutting edge last named is to effectively engage the sharpening roller 21 throughout the length thereof. This parallel relation is difficult to obtain in ordinary manufacturing operations.

As indicated in Fig. 6, it may be assumed that the longitudinal axis of the detents II and I3 or the extreme cutting edge of the razor blade 2| is parallel to a line LI instead of the line L. Under these conditions, if the longitudinal axis of the sharpening roller 21 and its pintles 21a were fixed, there would be a gap between the end ofthe razor cutting edge at the right, Fig. 6, and the roller 21, and this gap would extend ,from right toleft, Fig. 6, throughout almost the entire length of the razor blade'ZI. However,

since the longitudinal axis of the sharpening roller 2'! and its pintles 21a is adjustable as described, the line L does not remain in the position shown but it does take a position wherein it coincides with the line LI. As a result, the razor cutting edge engages said sharpening roller 21 throughout its entire length and, therefore, the sharpening operation may be efiiciently and properly performed. 7

As stated above, when it becomes desirable to sharpen the razor blade I2, the yoke I6 is elevated with respect to the frame 3 until the square rod I section It clears the square passage I5 whereupon the handle sleeve II is rotated through an angle of 180 degrees while holding the circular gripping section stationary. Obviously, an operation the reverse of that described is performed when it becomes desirable to'move the razor blade 2| from the sharpening position to shaving position. I

A feature of the invention resides in the fact that the described mechanism is adapted for readily sharpening both sides of the blade 2|. Thus, after one side of said blade 2| has been sharpened as described above, the yoke I6 may be elevated and so held while the blade 2| is rotated on the detents I'I, I8 through an angle of more than 180 degrees to bring the sharpened blade surface uppermost. Thereupon, the yoke I6 is rotated through an angle of 180 degrees and reseated in operative position on the frame 3.

i This brings the non-sharpened surface of the blade 2| into engagement with the sharpening roller 21. The construction comprising the square rod I4 and the square passage is is of importance because, provided that this rod and passage have the pro-per longitudinal dimensions, it will be necessary to elevate the yoke I6, in order to have the square rod It clear the square passage I5, to such extent that the edge of the blade 2| cannot engage any part of the frame 3 including the plates 5, 5 with consequent damage thereto during the described rotatable movement of said blade 2! which is imposed thereon when the yoke It is rotated with respect to the tubular member I and the frame 3. In this connection, it is to be noted that the mechanism comprising the detents I I and I8, which pivotally support the razor blade 2| on the yoke I6, prevents movement of said razor blade 2| with respect to the yoke when the latter is elevated to move the razor blade away from either the cam member 24 or the sharpening roller 2! as the case may be. In accordance with the invention, the vertical sides of the yoke sections Ifib closely engage the respective vertical sides of the plate recesses 9. By virtue of this arrangement, the yoke I6, when the razor blade 2| is either in shaving or sharpening position, is positively prevented from rotatably moving with respect to the tubular member I and the frame 3. Thus, no side-sway of the razor blade occurs during the sharpening or shaving operations. With the described relation between the yoke sections Nib and the plate recesses 9, the fit between the square rod I4 and square passage I5 may be loose or inaccurate. As will be understood, when the razor is held in one hand, the thumb of that hand is conveniently located for actuating the cam member 24 to change the elevation of the razor'blade 2|. As shown in Fig. '7, the plate 6 may have graduations thereon, the pointed handle 24a. coacting with these graduations to indicate different de- 'grees'of adjustment. connection with the cam member 24, it will be noted that it is mounted on the plate 6 as described above. "This plate 6 serves as a barrier preventing or impeding the admission of soap, etc., into the rear of the razor, i. e., the sharpening side thereof. also serves to strengthen the frame 3.

While the rod section l4 and the passage l have been described as square in cross-section, it will be understood that this rod section and passage may be trianular or otherwise of polygonalcross-section. In the appended claims, the

term polygonal shall be given this generic ,meaning.

Referring to Fig. 9, I have shown an 'assembly comprising a yoke le'and a razor blade 2| of the character hereinbefore described. In lieu of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8 for detachably securing the razor blade to the yoke, I have shown in Fig. 9 rivets or bolts 32 which are utilized for permanently securing the arms 2m of the razor blade to the respective yoke arms. It is intended that assemblies as shown in Fig. 9 shall be stocked in retail stores or the like so that the owner of the complete razor, when the blade thereof becomes unsuitable for further use, may remove the blade and yoke assembly and substitute a new assembly therefor.

While the invention has been described with respect. to a certain particular preferred example which gives satisfactory results, it will be under stood by those skilled in the art after under- Standing the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope oi the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims engage either the positioning means or the sharpening means, and means independent of said sharpening means for engaging the razor blade, when in shaving position, to cause it to be biased against said positioning means.

2. In a combined razor and sharpening device, supporting means for a razor blade, means for positioning the edge of the razor blade in shaving position, sharpening means, means for moving said supporting means to cause the razor blade to engage either the positioning means or the sharpening means, and means independent of said positioning means for engaging the razor blade, when in sharpening position, to cause it to be biased against said sharpening means.

3. In a razor, a frame, a support movable with respect to said frame, means for pivotally mounting a razor blade of the single edge type on said support, means for positioning theedge of the razor blade in shaving position, sharpening means, stop means carried by said frame in spaced relation with respect to said sharpening means, and a spring tending to move said support to a normal position with respect to said frame whereby the front part of said razor blade is held in engagement with said positioning means and the rear part of said razor blade is held .in engagement with said stop, means, said spring and i said stop means cooperating to hold the, razor bla'de firmly against said positioning means.

' 4. In a razor, a frame comprising siderplates,

The plate 6.

a support movable with respect to said frame,

ing position, stop means comprising members carried byv the respective side plates of said frame and disposed in transverse alinement, and a spring tending to move said support to a normal I position with respect to said frame whereby the front part of said razor. blade is held in engagement with said positioning means and the rear ,part of said razor blade is held in engagement with said members, said spring andsaid members cooperating to hold the razor blade firmly against said positioning means. i

5. Ina razor, a frame, a support movable with respect to said frame, means for pivotally mounting a razor'blade of the single edge type on said support, sharpening means, means for positioning the edge of the razor blade in shaving position, stop means carried by said frame in spaced relation with respect to said positioning means, and a spring tending to move said support to a, normal position with respect to said frame whereby the front part of said razor blade is held in engagement with said sharpening means and the rear part of said razor blade is held in engagement with said stop means, said spring and said stop means cooperating to hold the razor blade firmly against said sharpening means.

6. In a razor, a frame comprising side plates,

7 a support movable with respect to said frame, means for pivotally mounting a razor blade of the single edge type on said support, sharpening means,-stop means comprising members carried by the respective side plates of said frame and disposed in transverse alinement, and a Spring tending to move said support to a normal position with respect to said frame whereby the front part of said razor blade is held in engagement with said sharpening means and the rear part of said razor blade is held in engagement with said members, said spring and said members cooperating to hold the razor blade firmly against said sharpening means. a j a '7. In a razor, a frame, a support movable with respect to said frame, means for pivotally mounting a razor blade of the single edge type on said support, means for positioning the edge of the razor blade in shaving position, sharpening means, said positioning means and said sharpening means being disposed at the respective opposite sides of the pivotal mounting for said razor blade, stop means carried by said frame between said sharpening means and said pivotal mounting for the razor blade, and a spring tending to move said support to a normal position with respect to said frame whereby the front part of said razor blade is held in engagement with said positioning means and the rear part of said razor bladeis held in engagement with said stop means, said spring and said stop means cooperating to hold the razor blade firmly againstsaid positioning means. r 7

.8. In a razor, a frame, a support movable with respect to said frame, means for pivotally mounting a razor blade of the single edge type on said support, means for positioning the edge of the razor blade in shaving position, means, said positioning means andsaid sharpening means being disposed at the respective opposite sides of the'pivotal mounting for said razor blade, stop means carried by said frame between said positioning means and said pivotal sharpening mounting for the razor blade, and a spring tending to move said support to a normal position with respect to said frame whereby the front part of said razor blade is held in engagement with said sharpening means and therear part of said razor blade is held in engagement with said stop means, said spring and said stop' means cooperating to hold the razor blade firmly against said sharpening means.

9. In a razor, a tubular support, a frame carried at one end thereof, a rod structure slidabie in said tubular support, a support carried by said rod structure for mounting a razor blade, and a spring efiective between said rod structure and said tubular support, said rod structure comprising a section which is polygonal in cross-section, said polygonal section being held by said spring in a passage in said tubular support which is polygonal in cross-section, the rod structure and the support for said razor blade being movable against the action of said spring to a position wherein said polygonal section clears said polygonal passage whereupon the razor blade and its support may be rotated with respect to said frame.

10. In a razor, a tubular support, a frame carried at one end thereof, a rod structure slidable in said tubular support, a handle carried by said rod structure, a support carried by said rod structure for pivotally mounting the razor blade, a

spring effective between said rod structure and said tubular support, said rod structure comprising a section which is polygonal in cross-section, said polygonal section being held by said spring in a passage in said tubular support which is polygonal in cross-section whereby said razor blade is maintained in one position, the rod structure, the handle and the support for said razor blade being movable against the action of said spring to a position wherein said polygonal section clears said polygonal passage whereupon the razor blade and its support may be rotated with respect to said frame to move said razor blade to another position, and means independent of said polygonal section and passage for positively retaining the rod structure, the handle and the support in different respective positions wherein the razor blade occupies either its first named position or its second named position.

11. In a razor, a tubular support, a frame carried at one end thereof, a rod structure slidable in said tubular support, a handle carried by said rod structure, a support carried by said rod structure for pivotally mounting the razor blade, a

spring effective between said rod structure and said tubular support, said rod structure comprising a section which is polygonal in cross-section, said polygonal section being held by said spring in a passage in said tubular upport which is polygonal in cross-section whereby said razor blade is maintained in one position, the rod structure, the handle and the support for said razor blade being movable against the action of said spring to a position wherein said polygonal section clears said polygonal passage whereupon the razor blade and its support may be rotated with respect to said frame to move said razor blade to another position, and means independent of said polygonal section and passage for positively retaining the rod structure, the handle and the support in different respective positions wherein the razor blade occupies either its first named position or its second named position, said means comprising oppositely extending sections disposed, respectively, in recesses formed in said frame.

13. In a razor, a tubular support, a frame carried at one end thereof, arod, structure slidablein said tubular support, a support carried by said rod structure for mounting ,a razor blade,"and a spring effective between said rod structure and said tubular support, said rod structure comprising a section which, when held by said spring in a passage of said tubular support, prevents rotation of said rod structure and said tubular support with respect to each other, the rod structure and the support for said razor blade being movable against the action of said spring to a position wherein said section clears said passage whereupon the razor blade and its support may be rotated with respect to said frame.

14. In a razor, a tubular support, a frame carried at one end thereof, a rod structure mounted in said tubular support for rotatable and axial movement with respect thereto, a support carried by said rod structure for mounting a razor blade, a spring effective between said rod structure and said tubular support for seating the razor blade support on said frame with said razor blade occupying one position, the rod structure and the razor blade support being movable axially of said tubular support against the action of said spring, and means preventing rotatable movement of the rod structure and the razor blade support with respect to said tubular support until such axial movement has proceeded sufliciently to render the razor blade incapable of striking said frame during rotatable movement thereof to a new position angularly spaced from said first position by 180 degrees.

15. In a razor, a frame, a support movable with respect to said frame, means for pivotally mounting a razor blad of the single edge type on said support, said razor blade, on the respective opposite sides thereof, having transversely alined recesses formed therein, means for positioning the edge of the razor blade in shaving position, stop means comprising two pairs of transversely alined members carried by said frame, and a spring tending to move said support to a normal position with respect to said frame whereby the front part of said razor blade is held in engagement with said positioning means and the rear part of said razor blade is held in engagement with one pair of said members, the other pair of said members being received in the respective recesses of said razor blade, said spring and said one pair of members cooperating to hold the razor blade firmly against said positioning means.

16. In a razor, a frame, a support movable with respect to said frame, means for pivotally mounting a razor blade of the single edge type on said support, said razor blade, on the respective opposite sides thereof, having transversely alined recesses formed therein, sharpening means, stop means comprising two pairs of transversely alined members carried by said frame, and a spring tending to move said support to a normal position with respect to said frame whereby the front part of said razor blade is held in engagement with said sharpening means and the rear part of said razor blade is held in engagement with one pair of said members, the other pair of said members being received in the respective recesses of said razor blade, said spring and said one pair of members cooperating to hold the razor blade firmly against said sharpening means. 17. In a razor, a yoke having a pair of parallel arms, a razor blade having a pair of parallel arms disposed in embracing and. interfitting relation with the yoke arms, and a pivot for connecting each yoke arm to the adjacent razor blade arm, the pivots being disposed parallel with the cutting edge of the razor blade. V

18. In a razor, a yoke having a pair of parallel- RAY L. BURCHETT. 

